Founded in 2014, Yacht Harbour has now gone through nearly 3 years of rapid growth, packed with milestones and interesting events. In this list are 11 things about Yacht Harbour that are not widely known, but we thought were interesting enough to share.
#1 Yacht Harbour started as an Instagram channel
Even though Yacht Harbour's initial plan was to build a web platform for a marketplace of yachts for sale, the company started an Instagram account in August 2014 to get some sort of traction, ahead of the launch of its website in December of that year.
At a time when no yachting media companies were on the platform, the strategy proved successful and saw Yacht Harbour get to 10,000 followers in under 4 months. This, in turn, proved instrumental to getting the first users to Yacht Harbour.
#2 We power instant results for a Top 5 search engine
Another little known fact about Yacht Harbour is that the company's index powers an instant result snippet for search engine, DuckDuckGo. One of the 5 available search settings on an iPhone, DuckDuckGo is a search engine built with privacy in mind.
Any user searching for a particular yacht on the platform, will see on top of search results an image of the yacht with it's main specifications, which DuckDuckGo displays using an API built by Yacht Harbour on top of its database for the search engine.
#3 News coverage was first meant as a content marketing play
Even though our audience is now spread evenly across its superyacht marketplace and its news section, Yacht Harbour's editorial coverage was started only in October 2015 to act as a content marketing vehicle for its search platform.
Despite these plans, news coverage rapidly evolved and grew to serve the purposes of a true media company, which Yacht Harbour has since become. Stories broken by our news department are now often used as sources by international media such as the BBC, CNBC and others.
#4 We built a chat bot to answer any yachting question
Developed in a wave of growing excitement over chat bots, Brook became the first chat bot in yachting that used a combination of machine learning, natural language recognition and big data to answer any question related to yacht.
Although Brook was since retired due to a lack of users, Yacht Harbour did manage to build a working version, answering over 80% of asked questions. Its original interface can still be seen here. When live it was even accessible from the Telegram messaging platform.
#5 Our content can be found on Forbes and Business Insider
As part of its content distribution strategy, Yacht Harbour struck deals with Business Insider to distribute part of its English-language content and to contribute stories to the French and Russian versions of Forbes.
With news stories around yachting and articles trying to open up the field to a more general audience, this content was read over 2 million times so far in 2017.
#6 We ran a crowdfunding campaign in our first year
Far from today's peak of attention around ICOs, Yacht Harbour ran a crowdfunding campaign in 2015 as an experiment, ahead of the launch of its charter marketplace to offer heavily discounted deals and lifetime advantages for participants.
Through the campaign, Yacht Harbour raised just under $3,000 from a series of contributors. The value of some the items offered then by Yacht Harbour has grown over 1,000x today.
#7 We get 10 million impressions of our content every month
Having rapidly grown from the 23 visitors Yacht Harbour on the day of it's launch, the company's combined channels now reach over 10 million impressions every month. This figure includes Yacht Harbour's website traffic, social media reach and audience on third-party platforms.
#8 There are sometimes easter eggs on Yacht Harbour
Sometimes overtaken by the holiday spirit, Yacht Harbour's homepage can sometimes change to adopt a special skin for limited times as seen above. So far, the company has dressed up its website for Halloween, Christmas and New Year's Eve but other events may soon be coming.
#9 One million minutes are spent watching Yacht Harbour's videos monthly
Playing an increasingly important role for any media company, videos have been a key to Yacht Harbour's success as well with over 800 days worth of videos being watched on our platform every month. The latest Black Pearl video alone reached over 3 million impressions on our network.
#10 Our Facebook page outranks its nearest competition 10 to 1
Owing much of its success to social media, Yacht Harbour has always tried to dominate the space in the superyacht sector and Facebook is currently the most reflective of this paradigm. Whereas Yacht Harbour gets 36,500 engagements on its page every week, the nearest competition currently sits at 3,300 engagements per week.
#11 It took us over 20,000 hours to build the Timeline platform
A major step forward in yacht search, Yacht Harbour's Timeline platform was launched in May 2017 after over 20,000 hours of research. The platform, compared to a Bloomberg terminal for yachting, lets its subscribers track the market in real time, discover the story behind any yacht and find the best deals on the market with big data.
Photos by Julien Hubert
Acquera, a company specializing in personalized services for mega yachts, is set to make a significant impact at the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show with the unveiling of its new brand image. The event, taking place from September 25th to 28th, marks the beginning of the 2024-2025 nautical season and will serve as the platform for Acquera's rebranding debut.Founded in 2018 by Stefano Tositti, Acquera has undergone a comprehensive rebranding process over several months, resulting in a refreshed and more visually striking corporate identity. This new brand image aims to unify the various companies within the Acquera group under a strong, recognizable brand that reflects the company's innovative spirit and future-focused vision.Acquera will welcome customers in a prominent location at the Monaco Yacht Show, situated within The Lounge @ MK Club. The stand, described as the largest and most refined ever for the company, will be shared with four other notable brands in the sector: The Super Yacht Group, MedAire, Dsnm, and Wilson Halligan Recruiter. This collaborative project is designed to foster connections and create synergies that will elevate industry standards.Caterina Oliviero, Chief Commercial Officer of Acquera, emphasized the significance of the Monaco Yacht Show as the ideal venue for presenting the company's new image. "We are particularly proud to do so in this exclusive Lounge, in collaboration with four companies with which we share the same desire to enhance the sector to a higher level," said Oliviero. She also highlighted the event's potential for generating new ideas and expanding Acquera's customer base.The rebranding effort focuses on making the company's iconography more visually impactful, with new color codes that enhance readability and a greater emphasis on images over text. The goal is to communicate Acquera's new positioning in the market, showcasing its commitment to innovation and the development of the yachting industry.Acquera's presence at the Monaco Yacht Show underscores its commitment to forming strategic partnerships and offering comprehensive services to all industry stakeholders, including yacht owners, captains, and other professionals. The company will be located at The Lounge, MK Club, 18 Rte de la Piscine, 98000 Monaco, from September 25th to 28th.Credit: Acquera
September 6, 2024
The Italian Sea Group has recently launched the ADM 67m, a 67-meter superyacht from the Admiral fleet. The yacht, a product of collaboration between The Italian Sea Group’s CENTRO STILE and British designer Mark Berryman, is set to make its world premiere at the Monaco Yacht Show from September 25 to 28, 2024.The ADM 67m features a design characterized by bold, sculptural lines combined with refined details. The yacht’s exterior and interior layout were crafted by CENTRO STILE, while the interior design was developed by Berryman and executed by CELI 1920, The Italian Sea Group’s cabinet-making division. According to Giovanni Costantino, Founder and CEO of The Italian Sea Group, the yacht’s aesthetic reflects a balance of harmony and audacity, consistent with the Admiral fleet’s design philosophy.The ADM 67m’s design concept is built around a new relationship between internal and external spaces, with large, floor-to-ceiling glass walls that create versatile hybrid zones. These spaces can adapt to various guest needs, time of day, and weather conditions, offering a unique at-sea experience. The yacht also features fold-down balconies and large hatches that enhance usable space, providing dedicated areas for outdoor activities and relaxation.The yacht’s interiors are described as luxurious yet understated, with a calming color palette that includes warm whites, sand, beige, and natural tones. The design maintains a contemporary and sophisticated style without excess, aiming to create a serene and informal atmosphere on board.The ADM 67m is the latest addition to The Italian Sea Group’s Admiral fleet and is expected to draw significant attention at the upcoming Monaco Yacht Show.Credit: The Italian Sea Group
September 6, 2024
Maxim Yachts, a new entrant in the nautical industry, is making its first public appearance at the Genoa Boat Show from September 19 to 24. The Barcelona-based shipyard, which specializes in the production of 36 to 56-foot day cruisers, is introducing two new models: the Neo 43 Race and Neo 43 Comfort. These models are part of a five-yacht range that reflects the company's focus on high performance and innovative design.Maxim Yachts, established in 1971, has positioned itself as a leader in the luxury day cruiser segment. The company's production facility in Barcelona spans 6,000 square meters and employs 30 engineers and technicians. The shipyard, with an annual capacity of 12 to 24 units, prides itself on advanced technology, sustainable production practices, and a commitment to customization.The Neo 43 Race and Neo 43 Comfort are both designed to meet the demands of discerning yacht enthusiasts. The Neo 43 Race is built for speed and maneuverability, powered by two outboard engines that enable a top speed of 45 knots and a cruising speed of 30 knots. The yacht features two double cabins, with one cabin convertible into a relaxation area. The interior is contemporary, with optional televisions in both cabins. The yacht also includes a 1,250-liter fuel tank and a 300-liter water tank, providing significant range.The Neo 43 Comfort, on the other hand, is tailored for long-term cruising with a focus on luxury and space. This model includes two double cabins and two inboard engines, achieving a top speed of 42 knots and a cruising speed of 25 knots. Like the Race model, it is equipped with a 1,250-liter fuel tank and a 300-liter water tank. The interior is finished with high-quality materials, offering a refined environment for extended stays on board.Maxim Yachts’ CEO highlighted the company’s dedication to personalization and quality, emphasizing that limited production ensures attention to detail in every yacht. The introduction of the Neo 43 Race and Neo 43 Comfort models marks a significant milestone for the company as it enters the competitive luxury yacht market.Credit: Maxim Yachts
September 6, 2024
Denison Yachting has announced the sale of a new construction 80' YYachts Y8, with the transaction managed by Denison broker Claudio Cozzi on behalf of the buyer. The Y8, an advanced iteration of the first YYacht model, was developed in collaboration with Surge Projects, led by designer Javier Jaudenes.The full-carbon Y8 has been designed with performance and safety in mind, featuring a wider stern and a mast positioned further aft to enhance speed and stability. Among its standard features are a transverse garage, a self-tacking jib, and separate crew access, all aimed at improving the yacht’s functionality and ease of use. The flat deckhouse, with optimally placed windows, contributes to the yacht’s sleek profile and increased interior light.The Y8 offers a 20% increase in interior volume compared to previous models, with a flexible layout that can accommodate up to five guest cabins. The master suite location is customizable to meet the owner's preferences. The yacht's engine room, positioned under the saloon floor, contributes to the improved balance and space efficiency.Ease of handling is a key feature of the Y8, with concealed halyards and sheets allowing the yacht to be operated by a small crew. The CZone system, which underpins the yacht's electronics, enables remote troubleshooting. Built using lightweight and sustainable materials, the Y8 is designed for low-emission sailing, particularly in light wind conditions.The Y8 is set for delivery in May 2025, with plans for the new owner to sail her in the Mediterranean during the summer.Credit: Denison Yachting
September 5, 2024
The 28.93-meter Sanlorenzo motor yacht, Speranza II, has been listed for sale by Camper & Nicholsons, represented by Julien Solari. The semi-displacement yacht is being offered with VAT paid and is presented in excellent condition.Speranza II is a prime example of the SD96 model, known for its balance of performance and luxury. Designed by Zuccon International Project, the yacht features modern exterior lines and spacious outdoor areas, including a bridge deck with versatile seating and dining options. The upper deck's indoor/outdoor dining area, with folding doors and windows, is particularly noteworthy, allowing for flexible use of space.Inside, the yacht accommodates up to 11 guests across five en suite cabins, including a full-beam master suite on the main deck. The interior, also designed by Zuccon International Project, is characterized by a calming cream and beige color scheme, honey-toned marble, and subtle golden accents, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.Speranza II is equipped with zero-speed and underway CMC stabilizers, ensuring comfort for guests both at anchor and while cruising. Powered by MTU engines, the yacht has a top speed of 18 knots and a cruising speed of 14 knots, with a range of over 1,800 nautical miles at 10 knots.With its combination of comfort, performance, and flexible layout, Speranza II is well-suited for both private family use and charter opportunities. The yacht has been meticulously maintained, making it an attractive option for those in the market for a modern, spacious vessel.Credit: Camper & Nicholsons International
September 5, 2024